Biometric Authentication for Video Communication Sessions

1. A computer implemented method for a video conference, comprising: at a processor, scanning a biometric parameter of an individual; at a processor, determining whether the scanned biometric parameter of the individual matches a stored biometric parameter of a plurality of different stored biometric parameters for a plurality of individuals; at a processor, identifying the individual based upon the stored biometric parameter; determining whether the identified individual is authorized to participate in a video conference; and if authorized, at processor, connecting the identified individual to the video conference; if not authorized, at the processor, displaying a message on a display device indicating that an unauthorized individual has entered the video conference; not activating a microphone for the video conference wherein the microphone is associated with the unauthorized individual; and rescanning an iris of a previously authorized individual of the video conference for allowing the unauthorized individual to participate in the video conference.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the scanning of the biometric parameter is one-sided.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the scanning of the biometric parameter is multi-sided.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric parameter is an iris scan.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a computer generated graphical tag for the authorized individual at the video conference.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5 , further comprising displaying the computer generated graphical tag for the authorized individual on a video conferencing screen.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the computer generated graphical tags are displayed over the heads of other participants on the video conference screen.)

8. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the displayed computer generated graphical tag moves on the video conferencing screen with the authorized individual when the individual moves.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , wherein unauthorized individuals are associated with a special computer generated graphical tag different from authorized individuals.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the displayed computer generated graphical tag associated with the identified individual changes color upon occurrence of an event associated with the identified individual.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the displayed computer generated graphical tag associated with the identified individual becomes larger upon occurrence of an event associated with the identified individual.

12. An apparatus for a video conference comprising: at least one processor; a memory having stored therein computer executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method of: scanning a biometric parameter of an individual; determining if data associated with the scanned biometric parameter of the individual matches at least one of a plurality of different stored biometric parameters associated with a plurality of individuals in an electronic database; if no match occurs, adding the data associated with the scanned biometric parameter and identification information associated with the individual to the electronic database; determining whether an individual associated with the scanned biometric parameter is authorized to participate in a video conference; and if authorized, connecting the individual to the video conference; if not authorized, displaying a message on a display device indicating that an unauthorized individual has entered the video conference; not activating a microphone for the video conference, wherein the microphone is associated with the unauthorized individual; and rescanning an iris of a previously authorized individual of the video conference for allowing the unauthorized individual to participate in the video conference.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the scanning of the biometric parameter is one-sided.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the scanning of the biometric parameter is multi-sided.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the electronic database is located remotely from the at least one processor.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the biometric parameter is an iris scan.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , the method further comprising generating a computer generated graphical tag for the individual at the video conference.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , the method further comprising displaying the computer generated graphical tag for the individual on a video conference screen.